Mapping Tools
While field visits to the Carbon Farm site are crucial, mapping tools, such as ESRI ArcGIS and Google Earth Pro, can enhance the planning experience through providing an additional layer of support for resource inventory and a holistic understanding of the project site. Additionally, mapping tools facilitate a multi-dimensional approach to your carbon farm planning process by enabling organization of spatial information. A map, or maps, of the farm or ranch showing existing infrastructure and natural resource conditions is an essential component of the plan. These maps are also used to locate potential carbon capture practices on the farm/ranch and to envision how the farm may be expected to look years down the road, following plan implementation. A planner will need to map out all potential practices to obtain the dimensions (acres) of each practice to run through the COMET-Planner model. Be sure to save your spatial data in a safe location which will allow you to go back to edit and update the plan over time.
For conservation planners with GIS experience and access to ESRI tools, Carbon Cycle Institute recommends using these mapping tools in concert with ground truthing through site visits. While ArcGIS is a fantastic resource for organizing spatial information, it does require a license and some training. Other open source mapping tools are available.
To the right, the simpler mapping tool, Google My Maps, demonstrates map layers used in the Allee Demonstration Carbon Farm Plan from layers developed in Google Earth Pro. You can view the layers by clicking on the "arrow" button in the top left of the map. The layers in this map are organized by conservation practice, however, each map should be tailored to the specific farm operation. In the sections below, we will describe how to use Google Earth Pro in the Carbon Farm Planning process.
The graphic above is a Google My Maps overview of the Allee Demonstration Farm. Parcels defined here were first created using Google Earth Pro.
Additionally, other open source mapping tools are available for planners such as QGIS. For more open source GIS tools, please check out this GIS Geography article.
Getting Started with Google Earth Pro (GEP)
While you can utilize Google Earth directly through a web browser or on a smartphone, downloading the Google Earth Pro desktop version allows users to access the full potential of the program. This download process only takes a few moments.
You can download the Google Earth Pro (GEP) application or use the mapping tool on your internet browser.
Downloading Soil Data for GEP Layer
You can download the Web Soil Survey geo-library HERE and integrate the soil map units into your Google Earth Pro for your carbon farm plan. The file will open in a Google Drive window and you will need to select the download button (arrow facing down in the top right corner).
The slide decks below provide steps to navigate through key components of Google Earth Pro. To explore each topic, use the arrow keys in the bottom left corner of each slide deck. A full step by step guide on how to use GEP for a Carbon Farm Plan is available below these slides.
Adding Web Soil Survey Geolibrary
You can download the Web Soil Survey geo-library from the file to the right and integrate the soil map units into your Google Earth Pro for your carbon farm plan. The file will open in a Google Drive window and you will need to select the download button (arrow facing down in the top right corner).
WWS.kmzThe slide decks below provide steps on how to navigate through key components of Google Earth Pro. To explore each topic, use the arrow keys in the bottom left corner of each slide deck. A full step by step guide on how to use GEP for a Carbon Farm Plan is available below these slides.
Using Google Earth Pro for a Carbon Farm Plan Guidance
The document on the left provides the step-by-step process of using Google Earth Pro for developing a carbon farm plan. This will be used in Task 3 of the curriculum training where additional details will be included. If you cannot download the Google Earth Pro desktop application, skip to page five of the document for steps associated with using the web browser.
While browsing Module 2 of the curriculum, feel free to practice with the KMZ file for the Allee Demonstration Farm (download here or find it under the Resources tab). Download the GEP application (or browse via your web browser) and practice adding points or polygons.
Remember, Google Earth Pro is just one of many mapping tools available for planners and is a simple introduction to mapping for individuals with little to no spatial analysis experience.
Shape Files & COMET-Farm
COMET-Farm is a quantification tool that allows users to assess changes in soil carbon and greenhouse gas emissions related to conservation scenarios on a farm to field-specific level. To minimize data entry, ArcGIS users are able to convert the Google Earth Pro KMZ/KML files into shape files that can later be uploaded into the COMET-Farm Cropland Module. Visit GeoDelta Labs tutorial for more information.
❓Check your knowledge!
Using mapping tools can replace a site visit when developing your carbon farm plan. [True/False]
Carbon Farm Planners must use Google Earth Pro when developing a carbon farm plan. [True/False]
Discussion board: If you have any questions throughout Module 2, please use the discussion board below to post.